Suicide is a desperate act, a devastating decision by a sick person trying to end the pain they are in. It affects more people who live here than you think, and way more than it should.

We should find ways as a community to make it clearer to those at risk of suicide that they do have other options. This is a difficult goal, but achievable and worth dedicating energy and effort to accomplish. Getting this message through requires a discussion, a conversation about the causes and research-based solutions involved in suicide — and the excellent news is that the talking required will have a beneficial secondary effect.

In an area where suicide is spoken of in hushed tones, or treated only as a problem for teens who’ve seen a show about it on Netflix … the discussion itself will help reduce stigma. We should not be ashamed to be survivors of suicide, to have family members who attempted it or friends who need counseling and medication to lower the risk.

It’s part of the human condition, and the less we push it into the shadows — the more chance we have to help and save many of the people who contemplate killing themselves. Reporter Laura Peters helped educate us on the topic in recent weeks with her excellent article and Facebook interview. We’re proud of her. Now, she is teaming with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to host a much-needed forum on the topic. It will be a key companion piece to some related recent efforts that advocates like Crystal Graham and groups like Out of Darkness have undertaken.

The forum pulled together by Peters, herself a survivor of suicide attempts, will take place at 6 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Staunton Public Library.

Please come. You’ll learn more about the risks and warning signs of suicide and ways that together we can help prevent more of it from happening. The rate of completed suicide here is 19 per 100,00 people. In 2016, Staunton saw two suicides, Waynesboro six and the county 11.

There is no reason those numbers should be that high. If you are a person who hasn’t struggled with depression or suicidal thoughts, you may be part of the problem if you stigmatize people who need to come forward and seek help. So let’s stop talking about it behind people’s back or in whispers, or judging people who are in pain. Instead, come be part of a strong community with open eyes and a healing spirit. We can use your help.